US5724961A - Valve arrangement and a breathing regulator which includes such a valve arrangement - Google Patents

Valve arrangement and a breathing regulator which includes such a valve arrangement Download PDF

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Publication number
US5724961A
US5724961A US08/624,622 US62462296A US5724961A US 5724961 A US5724961 A US 5724961A US 62462296 A US62462296 A US 62462296A US 5724961 A US5724961 A US 5724961A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
valve
valve means
inlet
gas
arm
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US08/624,622
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English (en)
Inventor
Rolf Tistrand
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Poseidon Industri AB
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Poseidon Industri AB
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Assigned to POSEIDON INDUSTRI AB reassignment POSEIDON INDUSTRI AB ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TISTRAND, ROLF
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/18—Air supply
    • B63C11/22—Air supply carried by diver
    • B63C11/2227—Second-stage regulators
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B9/00—Component parts for respiratory or breathing apparatus
    • A62B9/02—Valves
    • A62B9/022—Breathing demand regulators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/18—Air supply
    • B63C11/22—Air supply carried by diver
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/18—Air supply
    • B63C11/22—Air supply carried by diver
    • B63C2011/2254—Air supply carried by diver comprising means for prevention of ice formation, e.g. means for heating breathing gas in first or second stage regulators

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to valve arrangements and then particularly, but not exclusively, to valves which are intended to control the flow of pressurized breathable gas to breathing regulators.
  • the invention also relates to one such breathing regulator.
  • Valve arrangements for breathing regulators are known to the art, for instance from European Patent Specification 0 014 290 (Siebe Gorman).
  • This patent specification discloses a valve arrangement which includes a housing, an inlet through which gas enters the housing from a gas source at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, a movable valve means which functions to close the gas inlet and which, in use, is activated by a force corresponding to the difference in pressure upstream and downstream of the inlet, and a diaphragm.
  • the valve means preferably includes an arm and is connected to the diaphragm, and functions to open and close the inlet in response to the pressure prevailing in the housing.
  • the mechanism is highly sensitive and it is difficult to regulate the inlet air reliably.
  • Breathing regulator valve arrangements are also known by virtue of their use in a regulator which is marketed by Applicant (Poseidon) under the trademark Ocenair.
  • This valve arrangement includes an elastomeric bladder which opens and closes the inlet in accordance with the difference in pressure of the gas located upstream of the inlet and the pressure of the gas located downstream thereof.
  • a servo-valve coacts with the bladder to achieve the desired function.
  • EP-A1-0 269 900 teaches a valve arrangement of the kind described in the introduction, in which a valve element includes a hole through which air is able to flow. This air, however, is breathing air and is not used to control the actual valve means.
  • the object of the present invention is to avoid the aforesaid drawbacks, by providing a breathing regulator valve arrangement which is able to regulate the air flow with great precision, which has a long useful life and which is insensitive to cold.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a breathing regulator which includes an inventive valve arrangement.
  • the inventive valve arrangement includes a lever-arm effect whereby air supply can be regulated or controlled with great precision.
  • the simplicity of the lever-arm arrangement also imparts a long useful life to the valve arrangement.
  • the whole of the breathing regulator can be made from a plastic material or from some other material which is insensitive to cold, therewith imparting a more reliable function to the regulator.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an inventive breathing regulator, partly in section
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the regulator shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b are schematic, principle cross-sectional views of a dispensing valve, or second stage demand valve, included in the regulator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and show the valve in a closed and an open state respectively.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the main parts of a breathing regulator 1 partly in section. These main parts include an air chamber 2 with which a nozzle 3, in the illustrated case a mouthpiece, connects and through which the user breathes. A dispensing valve 4, or so-called second stage demand valve, automatically controls the supply of air to the chamber in accordance with prevailing needs.
  • FIG. 1 Also shown in FIG. 1 is an air hose 5 which is connected to an air container (not shown) which contains air at a primary pressure above atmospheric pressure and which is connected to the breathing regulator 1 by means of a swivel 6.
  • a reduction valve or a so-called first stage valve reduces the primary pressure (the container pressure) to a pressure in the order of 10 bars, wherein the breathing air is delivered to the chamber via the reduction valve and the dispensing valve 4.
  • check valves 7 Mounted in the chamber walls are two check valves 7 of known construction, of which only one is shown in FIG. 1.
  • the chamber air will flow out through the check valves 7, via a respective diffuser 8, and out into the water.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the breathing regulator 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be seen from FIG. 1 that the mouthpiece 3 is secured to the chamber by means of a locking scrap 3a, and that the swivel 6 is secured to the gas inlet by means of two O-rings 6a and a U-shaped locking member 6b.
  • the chamber 2 is covered by a hood 9.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates more clearly the different components of the dispensing valve 4 which are also shown in cross-section in FIGS. 3a and 3b.
  • a movable valve means in the form of a piston 12 which functions to close the gas inlet 11.
  • the piston 12 is controlled by a servo device and is mounted in a piston guide 13 which connects with the inlet and which at its bottom end includes openings 35 which open into the chamber 2.
  • a bladder 14 made of elastomeric material, such as rubber, is sealingly connected to the end of the piston distal from the gas inlet.
  • the piston also includes an axially through-penetrating hole 15 in which there is mounted an air filter 16. This through-penetrating hole thus connects the gas inlet with the bladder.
  • the bladder 14 is also sealingly connected to the servo device, which regulates piston movement.
  • the servo device includes a servo housing 21 which includes a through-penetrating hole 22 which connects the bladder 14 to the chamber 2. This hole preferably has a diameter in the order of 0.2 mm.
  • a spring 23 functions to press one end of a first arm or lifting arm 24 against the upper side of the servo housing.
  • a rubber valve plate 25 is mounted about midway along the arm and, when in abutment with the servo housing, covers the through-penetrating hole 22.
  • the lifting arm and the lever are able to define therebetween an angle which can vary between 0° and about 30°.
  • the lever rests on a projection 27 on the servo housing, this projection passing through a first hole 28 provided in the lifting arm in the proximity of that end at which the arm is joined to the lever 26.
  • a guide pin 30 which coacts with a second hole 31 in the lifting arm.
  • the servo arrangement is positioned so that the end of the lever opposite to that at which the lever is joined to the lifting arm will be located roughly centrally above the through-penetrating hole 22 in the servo housing.
  • An elastomeric diaphragm 32 for instance a rubber diaphragm, is mounted in the roof of the chamber above the lever 26 and in close proximity thereof.
  • FIG. 3a shows the dispensing valve 4 in a closed state, which is the state normally occupied by the valve until the user inhales.
  • the arms 24 and 26 are in a position in which the hole 22 in the servo housing 21 is closed by the valve plate 25.
  • Air entering the bladder 14 from the inlet 11 and via the filter 16 will therewith exert pressure on the piston, as indicated by the force arrows.
  • the air will remain in the bladder whilst the through-penetrating hole in the servo housing is closed and whilst the pressure above the piston is greater than the pressure beneath the piston.
  • the piston is therefore forced to a bottom end-position in which it closes the air passage from the inlet 11 into the chamber 2.
  • the exhalation air travels from the mouthpiece 3 and through the chamber 2 and the check valves 7 and out into the water, via the diffusers 8.
  • the dispensing valve is closed during the entire exhalation phase.
  • any water present in the breathing regulator can be blown therefrom, by manually depressing the diaphragm 32.
  • the passageway between the inlet 11 and the air chamber 2 will then be opened, similar to when inhaling, and air is able to pass freely through the chamber.
  • the described breathing regulator can be made readily from a plastic material, which is an advantage since the working of the regulator is otherwise liable to be influenced by ice formations.
  • the movable valve arrangement may have some other shape, such as spherical, for instance.
  • the illustrated and described valve arrangement can also be used in other applications, such as a safety valve, for instance.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
  • Safety Valves (AREA)
US08/624,622 1993-11-05 1994-11-04 Valve arrangement and a breathing regulator which includes such a valve arrangement Expired - Fee Related US5724961A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9303662A SE502129C2 (sv) 1993-11-05 1993-11-05 Ventilanordning och andningsregulator innefattande sådan ventilanordning
SE9303662 1993-11-05
PCT/SE1994/001043 WO1995012519A1 (en) 1993-11-05 1994-11-04 A valve arrangement and a breathing regulator which includes such a valve arrangement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5724961A true US5724961A (en) 1998-03-10

Family

ID=20391660

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/624,622 Expired - Fee Related US5724961A (en) 1993-11-05 1994-11-04 Valve arrangement and a breathing regulator which includes such a valve arrangement

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US5724961A (sv)
EP (1) EP0726862B1 (sv)
JP (1) JPH09505539A (sv)
CA (1) CA2175205A1 (sv)
DE (1) DE69412506T2 (sv)
ES (1) ES2122512T3 (sv)
SE (1) SE502129C2 (sv)
WO (1) WO1995012519A1 (sv)

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5960793A (en) * 1995-12-28 1999-10-05 Grand Bleu Inc. Breathing device for diving
US6263871B1 (en) * 1998-10-29 2001-07-24 Richard I. Brown Mouthpiece with coupler
US6279575B1 (en) * 1998-02-20 2001-08-28 Htm Sport S.P.A. Regulator with bypass tube
US6371117B1 (en) * 1998-06-15 2002-04-16 Siemens Elema Ab Directional valve
US6401714B1 (en) * 1997-04-03 2002-06-11 Scott Technologies, Inc. Self contained breathing apparatus
US6513525B2 (en) * 2000-12-13 2003-02-04 Frankie Chen Triplicate diving gas valve device
US6681766B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2004-01-27 Tabata Co., Ltd. Regulator for diving
US20040035415A1 (en) * 2002-08-22 2004-02-26 Michel Faligant Breathing apparatus
US6715488B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2004-04-06 Tabata Co., Ltd. Regulator for diving
US6718977B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2004-04-13 Tabata Co., Ltd. Regulator for diving
US6718976B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2004-04-13 Tabata Co., Ltd. Regulator for diving
US20040249292A1 (en) * 2003-01-21 2004-12-09 Davis Charles L. Noninvasive method of measuring blood density and hematocrit
US6834649B1 (en) * 2004-04-13 2004-12-28 Tzong-Fuh Kuo One-way valve on diving mask
US20050022816A1 (en) * 2003-07-28 2005-02-03 Krawczyk Michael Thomas Second stage swivel regulator
US20050072427A1 (en) * 2003-10-06 2005-04-07 Mitsushiro Matsuoka Regulator for diving
US20110048422A1 (en) * 2008-06-21 2011-03-03 Millard Richard L Variable Exhale Scuba Mouthpiece
US20110209702A1 (en) * 2010-02-26 2011-09-01 Nellcor Puritan Bennett Llc Proportional Solenoid Valve For Low Molecular Weight Gas Mixtures
US9278742B2 (en) 2010-10-07 2016-03-08 KISS Rebreather, LLC Rebreather mouthpiece
WO2016128913A1 (en) * 2015-02-11 2016-08-18 Mares Spa Pressure reducing second stage for underwater use

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9619459D0 (en) * 1996-09-18 1996-10-30 Jackson Peter J Breathing apparatus

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE974814C (de) * 1953-07-05 1961-05-04 Draegerwerk Ag Tauchgeraet mit lungenselbsttaetig gesteuerter, vom Behaelterhochdruck gespeister Naehrgaszufuhr
EP0014290A1 (en) * 1978-12-13 1980-08-20 Siebe Gorman & Company Limited Valve assembly and breathing apparatus incorporating this valve assembly
US4616646A (en) * 1984-03-14 1986-10-14 Intertechnique Compensated valve for breathing system
EP0269900A1 (en) * 1986-11-12 1988-06-08 Enrico Domenico Bozano Air regulator for breathing apparatus
US4784129A (en) * 1986-06-23 1988-11-15 Under Sea Industries, Inc. Breathing regulator

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE974814C (de) * 1953-07-05 1961-05-04 Draegerwerk Ag Tauchgeraet mit lungenselbsttaetig gesteuerter, vom Behaelterhochdruck gespeister Naehrgaszufuhr
EP0014290A1 (en) * 1978-12-13 1980-08-20 Siebe Gorman & Company Limited Valve assembly and breathing apparatus incorporating this valve assembly
US4616646A (en) * 1984-03-14 1986-10-14 Intertechnique Compensated valve for breathing system
US4784129A (en) * 1986-06-23 1988-11-15 Under Sea Industries, Inc. Breathing regulator
EP0269900A1 (en) * 1986-11-12 1988-06-08 Enrico Domenico Bozano Air regulator for breathing apparatus

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Excerpt from Manual for a Regulator "Oceanair" No. 2940.
Excerpt from Manual for a Regulator Oceanair No. 2940. *

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5960793A (en) * 1995-12-28 1999-10-05 Grand Bleu Inc. Breathing device for diving
US6401714B1 (en) * 1997-04-03 2002-06-11 Scott Technologies, Inc. Self contained breathing apparatus
US6279575B1 (en) * 1998-02-20 2001-08-28 Htm Sport S.P.A. Regulator with bypass tube
US6371117B1 (en) * 1998-06-15 2002-04-16 Siemens Elema Ab Directional valve
US6263871B1 (en) * 1998-10-29 2001-07-24 Richard I. Brown Mouthpiece with coupler
US6681766B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2004-01-27 Tabata Co., Ltd. Regulator for diving
US6715488B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2004-04-06 Tabata Co., Ltd. Regulator for diving
US6718977B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2004-04-13 Tabata Co., Ltd. Regulator for diving
US6718976B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2004-04-13 Tabata Co., Ltd. Regulator for diving
WO2001080953A1 (en) * 2000-04-26 2001-11-01 Brown Richard I Mouthpiece with coupler
US6513525B2 (en) * 2000-12-13 2003-02-04 Frankie Chen Triplicate diving gas valve device
US20040035415A1 (en) * 2002-08-22 2004-02-26 Michel Faligant Breathing apparatus
US20040249292A1 (en) * 2003-01-21 2004-12-09 Davis Charles L. Noninvasive method of measuring blood density and hematocrit
US20050022816A1 (en) * 2003-07-28 2005-02-03 Krawczyk Michael Thomas Second stage swivel regulator
US6932085B2 (en) * 2003-07-28 2005-08-23 Michael Thomas Krawczyk Second stage swivel regulator
US20050072427A1 (en) * 2003-10-06 2005-04-07 Mitsushiro Matsuoka Regulator for diving
US6957652B2 (en) * 2003-10-06 2005-10-25 Tabata Co., Ltd. Regulator for diving
US6834649B1 (en) * 2004-04-13 2004-12-28 Tzong-Fuh Kuo One-way valve on diving mask
US20110048422A1 (en) * 2008-06-21 2011-03-03 Millard Richard L Variable Exhale Scuba Mouthpiece
US20110209702A1 (en) * 2010-02-26 2011-09-01 Nellcor Puritan Bennett Llc Proportional Solenoid Valve For Low Molecular Weight Gas Mixtures
US9278742B2 (en) 2010-10-07 2016-03-08 KISS Rebreather, LLC Rebreather mouthpiece
WO2016128913A1 (en) * 2015-02-11 2016-08-18 Mares Spa Pressure reducing second stage for underwater use
CN107108001A (zh) * 2015-02-11 2017-08-29 玛瑞斯公开有限公司 用于水下使用的减压二级装置
US20180265176A1 (en) * 2015-02-11 2018-09-20 Mares Spa Pressure Reducing Second Stage for Underwater Use

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69412506T2 (de) 1998-12-17
EP0726862B1 (en) 1998-08-12
SE502129C2 (sv) 1995-08-28
SE9303662D0 (sv) 1993-11-05
CA2175205A1 (en) 1995-05-11
JPH09505539A (ja) 1997-06-03
DE69412506D1 (de) 1998-09-17
ES2122512T3 (es) 1998-12-16
WO1995012519A1 (en) 1995-05-11
EP0726862A1 (en) 1996-08-21
SE9303662L (sv) 1995-05-06

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